St Kitts: The island, the Festival, the experience

The St Kitts Music Festival was a special cultural experience that brought meaningful connections and lasting memories.

When we arrived, the staff at the Marriott Beach Resort greeted us warmly. We had dinner at Soho Lounge, and both the steak and the friendly service stood out.

Every morning began with a healthy, varied breakfast at the hotel, then we attended artist press conferences and explored the island. I especially enjoyed hearing artists talk openly about their creative process and messages. Lunch at Yani’s One Pot and Serendipity was always delicious, and the service was great.

Besides the music, the festival had special activities to choose from. Out of six options, I picked a guided off-road tour with SKN Jeepers, went parasailing with St Kitts Watersports, and joined a Perfume & Prosecco session at Belle Mont Sanctuary.

The off-road Jeep tour was both exciting and beautiful as we drove along rocky, winding roads. Our guide, Eric Jeffers, made sure we were safe the whole time. The two- to three-hour trip included stops at Shadwell Great House and Bougainvillea Books and Gifts.

At Shadwell, we visited the Masquerade Traditions Art Exhibition, which was a group effort to help keep cultural heritage alive. This project also acted as a crowdsourcing platform to build a “Masquerade Traditions Digital Collection”, showing how important it is to document and share the rich traditions of St Kitts and Nevis.

Parasailing was another highlight for me since it was my first time. It was both thrilling and peaceful. We went up about 600 feet, and the views of the island were amazing. Our guides, Ricky and Diamond, kept us safe and explained everything clearly.

The Perfume & Prosecco activity was a relaxing experience where I got to create my own unique fragrance.

The festival itself took place from June 25 to 27, with three nights of performances from both regional and international artists. Some of the best moments were Machel Montano’s energetic return, dancehall stars like Mavado and Masicka, and international acts like Kehlani.

The third night was especially memorable. Fantasia, Kehlani and Tarrus Riley all gave standout performances. Fantasia’s lively set and her on-stage birthday celebration were among the festival’s most touching moments.

We had a dedicated media booth, charging stations and organised meal services. Security was strong, and everyone had to scan their passes to enter both the audience and media areas.

The St Kitts team was always welcoming and made sure we had everything we needed.

The St Kitts Music Festival is one of the top Caribbean events, and I highly recommend it for anyone looking for a great destination experience. 

The article St Kitts: The island, the Festival, the experience is from St. Lucia Times.